Red is one of the most versatile of all bright colors. According to designer Michael Kors, in In Style Magazine’s “What’s your Perfect Color?” (June 2008 Aus Edition) “red will work with any neutural in your closet.”
The red color family runs the gamut of palettes from sizzling scarlet to tomato to raspberry to plum. Whilst a solid primary red can be difficult to wear for many skintones, wine reds and muted hues will work well with pretty much any outfit.
The secret is finding the right tone for your complexion. According to Trinny and Susannah, in their online article "How to Wear Red" from Trinny and Susannah.com, “if you have even a touch of the florid in your skin, if you are just slightly sunburned or a fake tan devotee, red will only bring out the lobster in you.”
Red looks best against beige skin tones and very pale white skin and black-skinned women are blessed with being able to wear he brightest reds, oranges and yellows.
Rather than play it down, keep it hot by mixing it with beige, tobacco and fuschia pink, one of the biggest hues of 2008. Go for florals or prints rather than a block of solid color, if you are unsure.Teaming red with black or white is dramatic but boring, and can be harsh on the skin. No one will forget you if you wear red, but never wear a true primary red to an interview, unless you want to come over as aggressive.
According to In Style, women with porcelain skin and blonde hair, like Gwyneth Paltrow, can wear true reds, striking tomato shades, which are not too orangey. Blue-based shades really flatter alabaster skin tones too.
Deep dramatic reds look good on brown-eyed women and sultry dark-brunettes such as Catherine Zeta Jones. Clarets, wines, burgundys and plums feature heavily in the fall winter palette and look good with tawny browns and grays. Those with olive and darker skin can wear scarlet and orange-based reds.
Softer shades of coral or blush red look good on women with a medium complexion, where the skin is neither dark nor light, such as Natalie Portman. This mid-tone pastel will mirror your skin tone.
Once you have learn to make the most of red, find out how to wear other colors that suit your complexion.
Powerful reds and scarletts have made a huge imact of runways this fall. Find them in the plaid prints and checks of Ralph Lauren, and solid block-colored evening gowns and cocktail dresses of Temperley and Marchesa. Alexander McQueen's collection feature royal ruby reds and plenty of volume. And don't forget Fall 2008's jacket of the moment, the Biker Jacket, in red hot scarlets.
Colorful reds and oranges can be found within the Russian Doll Folklore trend, with designers such as Anna Sui being inspired by colorful traditional Russian folk costumes, providing us with a strong bohemian look for the fall winter season.
In the fashion accessories department, red hosiery is a hot look, with primary red opaques, whilst sexy red stilletos or a touch of red lipstick adds sex appeal and attitude to any outfit.
Red has long been associated as the color of passionate and sex. According to Michael Kors, “you will never find a man who doesn’t love it!” Think red hot stiletto heels and racy red lingerie.
Says Karen Homer, her book, What Every Woman Should Know About Style, (Prion 2003) “it is the color of danger and aggression, the color of sexual predators.”Homer also wittily observes that red is “black for fashion editors when they just can’t bear black any longer.!”
As Harper’s Bazaar’s own Diana Vreeland famously says, “I can’t imagine anyone becoming bored with red — it would be like becoming bored with the person you love.”
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